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What is Considered to be "TRUE" Vintage HIFI?

jeeze guys, the op ask what are the good vintage hifi brands and gets two pages debating the term vintage, in the vintage audio forum no less.


Here is a photo of John Lennon with his McIntosh gear, 'nuff said.

 
It's generally a safe bet that anything with two channels, line inputs, and heater filaments would fit the bill. After the tube era, the waters get a bit more muddied but many might consider anything with a linear power supply, mostly discrete components and analog interfaces to qualify as "vintage" equipment. As someone has already mentioned, it's frequently in the eye of the beholder, and there are as many perspectives as there are eyes.

On the other end of the spectrum, anything using a processor, surface mount devices, and a switching power supply might be of a "vintage" that you would want to dismiss.

As always, there are exceptions, and your results may vary.
 
Fisherdude said:
Nickword, the answers to your question are all matters of personal opinion. There is no official "list".

So, if you're looking for a quality piece of vintage hi fi gear, your best bet is to hang out here at AK and make notes. :thmbsp:
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So true,There are so many variables with the depth of your knowledge and pocket being the first.
 
You see all the great information and pictures i get to read and see from all the AK pros just by asking a question. those John Lennon photos are pretty awesome. Thank you all so very much for sharing all that you know. :) I'm def taking notes. ;)
 
woodj said:
Technically, "vintage" applies only to wine. Note the "vin" which is vine which yields wine. Somebody wanting to make something more valuable or interesting thought: what word can I use to make "this thing" sound pricy?
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Meanings and connotations change over time.
 
Pre-1980 for most popular brands. Higher end often into the early 1990's and beyond. Some exceptions to this. General rule is, when you begin seeing remote controls, push buttons, black plastic, and lighter weight build, it's not vintage.
 
The word "vintage" has taken on different usages over time. Originally, it meant "harvesting of grapes". The word didn't correlate to the age of wine until 1746. By 1883, it became a term to describe anything from an earlier time.

woodj said:
Technically, "vintage" applies only to wine. Note the "vin" which is vine which yields wine.
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Yup

62caddy said:
It should also be noted that "vintage" does not necessarily translate to "rare", "desirable" or valuable.

There's no shortage of relatively modern gear that's far more collectible/desirable/valuable than earlier counterparts - even if more common.

The way I see it "vintage" is little than a "fluff" term - typically used for advertising purposes.
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The term vintage is one of those things that is so relative to each of us and it does change as time moves forward. 5 years ago, I looked at anything that had a black face as definitely not vintage. Now?

Early overbuilt CD players
The earliest HT gear where manufacturers made beasts that were statements amongst the competition or......arresting use of the word "vintage" (as implied respect) to things you are familiar with/your generation only.
Quality boomboxes from the 80s'
Clean lined and quality gear with Rosewood sides (as an option).
(In other words statement pieces from past decades that jar good memories from some generation.)

Conversely,age doesn't really translate to the use of the implied meaning of "worthy" when the word "vintage" is used to imply "the best of". I groan when people use "vintage" as the only/main selling point with....

Kabuki Speaks that are completely devoid of a good presentation.
Airline anything.
Fold-up R2Rs'
Ornate and vinyl covered consoles from the 70s'
Lloyds
Soundesign

Vintage is used as a "sucker come on" and beware if you look at the history aspect of anything as a chore best left in a classroom.....or respecting "vintage" as it only implies to "just your own" generation. (Things aren't like that.)
 
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Guys , you are fixating on the word "vintage" in the title and not "HiFi". I believe the op was asking for the TOTL brands and what gear he should look for not a definition of vintage.

Sometimes I think guys just read the title, hit last page and start typing away.


for the OP.
Fisher
McIntosh
Altec
JBL
Marantz
Pioneer
Sansui
Thorens
Garrard
Lenco
AR
Tannoy

This is a very small list off the top of my head of good quality vintage gear to look for. Good luck!
 
For me, it would be anything from the 1980's going back to the 1950's that is not BPC, or the vintage equivalent of BPC, which is not necessarily black or plastic.

I'm sure you are clear on the issue now . . . :D:D:D

Cheers
 
jeremyjustic said:
Guys , you are fixating on the word "vintage" in the title and not "HiFi". I believe the op was asking for the TOTL brands and what gear he should look for not a definition of vintage.
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It should also be noted that the manner in which "hi fi" is popularly used & defined is also somewhat vague and subject to individual interpretation.


nickword said:
... i notice a lot of sellers label there old equipment VINTAGE HIFI COLLECTORS ITEM!
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^ Quote from OP ^

This is what I was referring to in my earlier "fluff" comment.

Oftentimes the term is used to hype an otherwise so-so unit offered for sale on CL, eBay and the like, Ie: 1970s Capehart Stereo Console - "Vintage Hi-FI Collector's Item..."

Yes, it's vintage, questionable whether hi fi (to some it might be), collectible - well if just one person collects 'em - I guess it is. But in the final analysis it's still only worth around $20.00.

Around more specialized venues like AK, a "true" vintage hi fi piece would be closer to something like a Fisher tube receiver or the older offerings from manufacturers in Jeremy's list above.

Just do a eBay completed listings search of any of those manufacturers and sort by "highest price first" and you'll get some idea of what many here consider truly desirable vintage hi fi equipment.
 
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This is exactly what i was looking for!

jeremyjustic said:
Guys , you are fixating on the word "vintage" in the title and not "HiFi". I believe the op was asking for the TOTL brands and what gear he should look for not a definition of vintage.

Sometimes I think guys just read the title, hit last page and start typing away.


for the OP.
Fisher
McIntosh
Altec
JBL
Marantz
Pioneer
Sansui
Thorens
Garrard
Lenco
AR
Tannoy

This is a very small list off the top of my head of good quality vintage gear to look for. Good luck!
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This is a perfect answer. thank you so much!
 
jeremyjustic said:
Guys , you are fixating on the word "vintage" in the title and not "HiFi". I believe the op was asking for the TOTL brands and what gear he should look for not a definition of vintage.

Sometimes I think guys just read the title, hit last page and start typing away.


for the OP.
Fisher
McIntosh
Altec
JBL
Marantz
Pioneer
Sansui
Thorens
Garrard
Lenco
AR
Tannoy

This is a very small list off the top of my head of good quality vintage gear to look for. Good luck!
Click to expand...

Ok but Fisher made some real crap so did Pioneer, Garrard and Sansui.A lot of listings say vintage but it isn't really.The true vintage gear by these company's is good quality gear.
 
BillyBatts said:
True.

For my eye, Vintage Audio consists of big shiny knobs, buttons, switches, and analog meters. Silver faces and wooden cases... except for Mac Black.

When I pick it up, I expect it to challenge my muscles just a bit. No wimpy weights in this category.
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Something like this?
 

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Something that wasn't made in China?...before it was Japan? Before then Germany/England? Just kidding.

I liked the arbitrary 30 year span as it is with some vehicles. You can bet that the gov't has a certain time in mind...for taxation purposes.

Q2
 
jeremyjustic said:
....
Here is a photo of John Lennon with his McIntosh gear, 'nuff said.....

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Wow. Very cool photo. I had not seen that, and I don't recall knowing that Lennon had Mac Equipment, but it makes sense. He had good taste (RIP).

I was at a neighbor's house today to drop something off for my S.O., and the guy had a VERY nice Fisher 500c in EXCELLENT condition. I said "Nice Vintage Receiver". He said, "If it doesn't have tubes, it's not vintage".
SO, in HIS definition, only TUBE equipment qualifies.
 
I hear vintage Tandberg is top quality stuff... Also vintage Luxman gear is really good Along with Toshiba, Technics, Yamaha, Onkyo, Nikko, Nakamichi, Harman Kardon, Sony, Setton, Scott, Carver, Adcom, Rotel, Acoustic Research, and Nad.

Hehe. i learned some stuff my self. ;)

Study Study Study away. In hopes i will find my GEM for cheap someday! :yes:

Now the question is... and this is the only question...
Which of all these brands has the over all top pound for pound best receiver??? :scratch2:

If we are going by Ebay prices then Marantz takes the cake... :rockon:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-MAR...pt=Vintage_Electronics_R2&hash=item3cdc5c7bfa
 
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Your gonna pay more for Marantz and Pioneer because it's more well known and therefore more collectible.Where as brands like Onkyo,Hitachi and Nikko are the same quality but more bang for your buck.
 
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